It’s great to look back on the past year and reflect about what you have or haven’t accomplished. But right now I’m trying to look ahead. I’m not really into New Year’s resolutions, but I am looking ahead at what I hope to see realized in 2011 and partnering with God to make it happen.

So here’s what’s on the horizon for me in 2011:

1. Theme verse for the year: I don’t’ always do this, but once particular Bible verse has been on my heart the last several weeks and I’ve decided to make it a source of year long reflection. The verse is John 15:4:

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.”

I don’t know about you, but I want my life to be “fruitful.” And I believe that is God’s plan for my life as well. I want to have a “fruitful” relationship with my wife, my children, my neighbors, my friends, my work/ministry. I think there is a slightly selfish side to my desire to be fruitful, and a God honoring side as John 15:8 says:

“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”

God is honored as our lives bear the fruit of abiding connection with Jesus, and I reap the benefit of being “fruitful.”

2. My 10th Anniversary: Courtney and I got married on April 28th, 2001. I can’t believe we will have been married ten years in just a few months! Wow! I am blessed to have such an amazing and supportive spouse. We’ve been talking about anniversary plans, and we are not sure what we’re going to do yet, so if anybody has any ideas, we’re game. Let us know. Seriously, we’d love your input!

3. The 5th Anniversary of The Bridge: The Bridge Community Church held its grand opening worship service on Easter Sunday, April 16th, of 2006. And five years seems to have passed so quickly! What a joy it has been and continues to be to serve and connect with the Morrisville community. We are going to celebrate our church anniversary on Sunday, April 17th, this year.

4.  A Deeper, More Developed Relationship with God:   I was recently challenged with the question, “Am I closer to God today than I was a year ago?”  This is a great “looking back” question, but I want to spin it forward.  How am I going to be closer to God over the course of the next year?  What’s my plan?  What are the practical steps I can take towards being closer to Christ?  I’ve begun to answers these questions for myself, and I hope you will take the time to sit down and ask yourself and make a plan for growing deeper this year in your connection with God than ever before.